St Francis Medallion Octagonal Blue Yellow Enamel Silvertone Goldtone

Description

St Francis Medallion Octagonal Blue Yellow Enamel Silvertone Goldtone.  1-3/4" dia.
Saint Francis of Assisi
was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. Though he was never ordained to the Catholic priesthood, Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.
While going off to war Francis had a vision that directed him back to Assisi. Francis returned home, began preaching on the streets, and soon gathered followers. His Order was authorized by Pope Innocent III. He then founded the Order of Poor Clares, which became an enclosed religious order for women, as well as the Order of Brothers and Sisters of Penance (commonly called the Third Order). Francis arranged for the first Christmas nativity scene.
He also received the stigmata making him the first recorded person to bear the wounds of Christ's Passion.
He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Gregory IX. He is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment, and is one of the two patron saints of Italy (with Catherine of Siena). It is customary for Catholic and Anglican churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of October 4. He is also known for his love of the Eucharist, his sorrow during the Stations of the Cross, and for the creation of the Christmas crèche or Nativity Scene.
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